The Agbaja Leaders of Thought have called on local and foreign investors to seize opportunities at the 9th Mile Industrial Park in Udi, Enugu State, positioning it as a future engine of economic growth.
Speaking at a press briefing in Enugu ahead of the Agbaja 2025 Summit scheduled for November 26–27, the group highlighted the industrial and cultural potential of the region, which spans Udi, Ezeagu, Oji-River, Igboetiti, and parts of Enugu North, South, and East.
Rev. Ugo Chime, a trustee and past chairman of the summit planning committee, described 9th Mile as an industrial jewel endowed with natural resources such as coal and exceptional-quality drinking water. He urged investors to look beyond traditional hubs and tap into Agbaja’s welcoming environment and abundant resources.
“Our land is rich, our people are committed, and our doors are open to partners who can help transform Enugu’s economy,” Chime said, noting that Agbaja’s culture of humility and hard work made it an attractive place to do business.
Prof. Chike Anibeze, Chairman of the 2025 Planning Committee, revealed that this year’s summit will focus on education and skills development. He lamented that schools often produce graduates with strong theoretical knowledge but weak practical expertise, stressing the need to bridge the gap with hands-on learning.
“Agbaja Summit 2025 will not just be a gathering—it will be a movement,” Anibeze explained. “By blending ancestral wisdom with modern training, we aim to prepare our youth for a competitive future.”
The summit will feature a hybrid colloquium, expert-led workshops, and an Aspiring Entrepreneurs Exhibition, designed to stimulate innovation and build capacity. Beyond dialogue, the event promises a vibrant cultural showcase with masquerades, music, dance, and cuisine that celebrate Agbaja’s heritage.
Organizers emphasized that the summit builds on the momentum of the inaugural 2022 edition, with thematic areas like leadership renewal, innovation, and community development already yielding results.
Senator Odita Ngwu (Enugu West) and former Deputy Governor Cecilia Ezeilo applauded the initiative, pledging their support while urging Agbaja indigenes at home and abroad to invest in their homeland. They also underscored the importance of peace and unity as the foundation for progress.
With the 9th Mile Industrial Park at its heart, the Agbaja 2025 Summit is shaping up as both a cultural homecoming and a blueprint for economic transformation.
